Apparatus for cleaning small parts

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for cleaning small parts such as assembled watches, or watch parts in a basket, wherein supporting structure may be adjusted for vibratory or elliptical motion when cleaning assembled watches or circular motion when cleaning parts in a basket. The supporting structure involves a motor driven plate rotatable about its central axis, and a work supporting plate carried thereby and adjustable between a concentric position and an eccentric position.

United States Patent Schmidbauer 115] 3,656,319 1 Apr. 18, 1972 154]APPARATUS FOR CLEANING SMALL PARTS [72] Inventor: Hans Schmidbauer, 77Singen, Hohentwiel, Germany 22 Filed: 0ct.21, 1969 21 App1.No.: 868,127

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 5, 1969 Germany ..P 19 45027.2

US. Cl

[5 6] References Cited 2,621,907 12/1952 Maurer et al. ..74/86 X2,949,921 8/1960 Boland 134/140 2,994,331 8/1961 Pons Y Companys..134/l6l X 3,045,987 7/1962 Cake ..74/86 X Primary Examiner-Edward G.Favors Attorney-Edward Brosler [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for cleaningsmall parts such, as assembled watches, or watch parts in a basket,wherein supporting structure may be adjusted for vibratory or ellipticalmotion when cleaning assembled watches or circular motion when cleaningparts in a basket. The supporting structure involves a motor drivenplate rotatable about its central axis, and a work supporting platecarried thereby and adjustable between a concentric position and aneccentric position.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR18 I972 3,656,319

SHEET 2 [1F 2 16 Fig.5.

l N V E N T0 R HANS .SCHM/DBHUER Wflm Attorney APPARATUS FOR CLEANINGSMALL PARTS This invention relates to an apparatus for the cleaning ofsmall parts, such as dismantled or non-dismantled works of clocks, bymovement of the parts placed on a parts holder in a cleaning fluid,whereby the parts are moved selectively by rotation or by vibration.

The parts holder is driven by an electric motor. Such an apparatus aimsat the cleaning of such parts by the bringing about of a relativemovement between these parts and the cleaning fluid. The parts maytherefore be affixed as complete clock works, on a parts holder which isthen moved relatively to the cleaning fluid, or a basket may also beprovided in which the individual parts are then disposed. I

In the cleaning of dismantled works of clocks, it is advantageous tomove these in the cleaning bath in a clear circular movement ofrotation. With undismantled works of clocks on the other hand, thecleaning action is increased if the complete works are moved in avibrating manner in the cleaning fluid.

In a known apparatus the parts holders had to be exchanged if it wasdesired to change over from rotation to vibration or vice-versa. Theinvention aims at a simplification of this changing over.

This problem is solved according to the invention, with an apparatus ofthe aforementioned kind by means of a coupling between the parts holderand the motor shaft with which the parts holder is adjustableconcentrically or eccentrically to the motor shaft.

In doing so, it is advantageous for the adjustment of the parts holderin respect of the motor shaft, for a screw to be provided.

One suitable embodiment of the invention consists in that .on the motorshaft, at least one plate is fixed which rotates centrically oreccentrically and to which the parts holder is exchangeably fixed.

According to whether the plate or plates rotate centrically oreccentrically the parts to be cleaned, which therefore in their turnarefirmly connected to the parts holder, carry out a circular movementof rotation or an elliptical movement of rotation. These ellipticalmovements of rotation correspond to a movement of vibration. The partsholder may be basket in which the dismantled individual parts areplaced. It may be a workpiece holder which carries non dismantled worksof watches for example, of pocket watches or the works of alarm clocks.

Advantageously, there is fixed on the motor shaft, an upper plate and alower plate which are pivotable towards one another about a commonpivot, which runs parallel at a distance from the axis of rotation. Theaxis of rotation of the upper plate may thereby coincide with the middleaxis of the circular cylindrically constructed upper plate, whilst thelikewise circular cylindrical lower plate can be pivoted from thisposition sothat it runs eccentrically and produces in this position, theelliptical oscillations. If the lower plate, like the upper plate,rotates concentrically, the apparatus carries out a circular movement.With this arrangement, the upper plate has, with advantage, an arcuateelongated hole through which a fixing screw parallel to the axis ofrotation penetrates, which is screwed to the lower plate locateddirectly under the upper plate. This fixing screw may therefore fix thelower plate in respect of the upper plate in the circular or in theelliptical path of rotation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the subject matter of theinvention, the lower plate has centrally downwards a continuation forreceiving at least one bearing plate, rotatable relative to the lowerplate, to which bearing plate, the parts holder is screwed. With thisconstruction, the bearing plate, with its parts holder, rotates moreslowly than the motor shaft because of the friction with the cleaningfluid, whereby a plu rality of elliptical oscillation revolutions takesplace.

Advantageously, two bearing plates are provided, one above the other,which run in a ball bearing on the projection of the lower plate. Thelower plate may be provided centrally with a nut thread for receivingthe parts holder.

The parts holder has centrally, a bolt thread, fitting in the nutthread, so that both parts can be screwed to one another.

In one simple particular construction, the common pivot of the lowerplate and of the upper plate is formed by a screw which connects bothplates rotatably to one another.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings;

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the whole cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a view of the rotary .and vibratory unit with works of awatch suspended underneath thereon;

FIG. 3 shows likewise a perspective view of this unit with wire basketscrewed thereon;

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through the rotary and vibratoryunit with the parts holder removed;

FIG. 5 shows a plan of the upper plate according to FIG. 4, wherein thecentral position for the cleaning of the dismantled works is taken up,and

FIG. 6 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 5 wherein however, the lowerplate is displaced in respect of the upper plate so that the eccentricposition for the vibration cleaning of dismantled works is taken up.

In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a lower frame I with a time switch 2. Onthe lower frame there are located containers 3 made of glass or othertransparent plastic, which serve for receiving cleaning fluid. A motor 4is fixed to a cover plate 5 such that by moving (raising, rotating andagain lowering) the cover plate in the direction of the arrow 6, afterrelease of the fixing screw 7, the motor 4 can be placed over each ofthese glasses. By means of the shaft 8, it is possible upon raising themotor 4 in the direction of the arrow 6 to immerse or remove the rotaryand vibrating unit 9 with the workpiece holder 10 fixed thereon in thecleaning fluid.

The rotary and vibrating unit 9 is shown separately in FIGS. 2 and 3. InFIG. 2 a workpiece holder with non-dismantled watch works 11 is shown.In FIG. 3 a wore basket 14 for dismantled or loose individual parts isillustrated. The wire basket 14 carries out a purely rotational movementwhilst the workpiece holder 10 carries out a vibratory movement.

By simple adjustment of the screw 15 or by the rotation of the lowerpart 17 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the switching over from rotation tovibration takes place. In FIG. 4 is illustrated the rotary and vibratoryunit 9 which is formed by an upper plate 16 and a lower plate 17. Thescrew 15 firmly connects these parts when it is tightened. If it isloosened the lower plate 17 can pivot about a pivot 19. For this anelongated hole 18 is provided in the upper plate. In the position shownin FIG. 6 in which therefore the screw 15 contacts the upper end of theelongated hole 18, the lower plate 17 is eccentric to the shaft 8 whichforms at the same time, the axis of rotation of the unit. On the otherhand, in the position of FIG. 5, the lower plate is concentric with thisaxis of rotation. Hereby the screw 15 lies on the lower end of theelongated hole 18.

Due to the eccentricity in the position of FIG. 6, the vibration isproduced upon rotation of the motor shaft 8. In FIG. 4 two bearingplates 20, 21 can be seen which are rotatably mounted in two ballbearings 22, 23. The inner rings of the ball bearings are firmlyconnected to the lower plate 17. Upon rotation of the motor shaft 8 theupper plate 16 as well as the lowe plate 17 rotate. If the workpieceholder 10 or the wire basket 14 is immersed in cleaning fluid then dueto the friction of the fluid on the bearing plates 20, 21 this drive isbraked so that the bearing plates 20, 21 rotate at a lower speed thanthe motor shaft 8. Hereby elliptical oscillations results which effeet avery intensive cleaning.

The bearing plate 21 has a nut thread 24. The parts holders 10, 14, 26have, correspondingly, a bolt thread 25 fitting in the nut thread 24. Itis thus possible to exchange these parts holders.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is provided, for example, a workpiece holder 10for non-dismantled watch works for which only vibration cleaning isintended. The wire basket 14 of FIG. 3 is provided for dismantled partsfor rotational cleaning. The workpiece holder 26 of FIG. 3 serves forreceiving larger nondismantled watch works such as, for example, thoseof travelling alarm clocks.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for cleaning small parts as dismantled or nondismantledwatch-works, comprising a holder for works to be cleaned, drive means,means for supporting said works holder in drive connection to said drivemeans, said works holder supporting means including an adjustablecoupling means for laterally altering the axial relationship betweensaid drive means and said works holder to selectively impart to saidworks holder, a rotary or vibratory motion.

2. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 1,characterized by means for locking said adjustable coupling followingadjustment thereof.

3. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 1,characterized by said coupling including a plate affixed to said drivemeans, a second plate adjustably connected to said first plate, saidsecond plate having means for supporting said works holder.

4. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 3,characterized by means pivotally connecting said second plate to saidfirst plate at a location offset axially from the connection of saidfirst plate to said drive means, to permit altering of the axialrelationship between said drive means and said works holder, and meansfor locking said second plate in a desired adjusted position.

5. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 4,characterized by said locking means including an arcuate slot in one ofsaid plates and a tightening screw through said slot and threadedlyengaging in the other of said plates.

6. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in according with claim 3,characterized by said means for supporting said works holder asincluding a third plate rotatably carried by said second plate, saidthird plate having means for removable attachment thereto of said worksholder.

7. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 6,characterized by said means for removable attachment of said worksholder to said third plate, including a threaded recess in said thirdplate, axially located with respect to said second plate.

8. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 6,characterized by a ball bearing mounting between said second plate andsaid third plate.

1. Apparatus for cleaning small parts as dismantled or nondismantledwatch-works, comprising a holder for works to be cleaned, drive means,means for supporting said works holder in drive connection to said drivemeans, said works holder supporting means including an adjustablecoupling means for laterally altering the axial relationship betweensaid drive means and said works holder to selectively impart to saidworks holder, a rotary or vibratory motion.
 2. Apparatus for cleaning ofsmall parts, in accordance with claim 1, characterized by means forlocking said adjustable coupling following adjustment thereof. 3.Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 1,characterized by said coupling including a plate affixed to said drivemeans, a second plate adjustably connected to said first plate, saidsecond plate having means for supporting said works holder.
 4. Apparatusfor cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 3, characterizedby means pivotally connecting said second plate to said first plate at alocation offset axially from the connection of said first plate to saiddrive means, to permit altering of the axial relationship between saiddrive means and said works holder, and means for locking said secondplate in a desired adjusted position.
 5. Apparatus for cleaning of smallparts, in accordance with claim 4, characterized by said locking meansincluding an arcuate slot in one of said plates and a tightening screwthrough said slot and threadedly engaging in the other of said plates.6. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 3,characterized by said means for supporting said works holder asincluding a third plate rotatably carried by said second plate, saidthird plate having means for removable attachment thereto of said worksholder.
 7. Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance withclaim 6, characterized by said means for removable attachment of saidworks holder to said third plate, including a threaded recess in saidthird plate, axially located with respect to said second plate. 8.Apparatus for cleaning of small parts, in accordance with claim 6,characterized by a ball bearing mounting between said second plate andsaid third plate.